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FACILITIES

HNEI research labs are augmented by field testing and demonstration sites to support core R&D along with renewable energy system integration. Because Technical Validation & Implementation has become an essential part of HNEI’s mission, faculty and staff work closely with partners to bring research results and efficient end use technologies through the stages of development, demonstration and deployment into service.

A wide variety of research is underway in the Biomass and Fuels Processing Laboratory, including activities in biomass resource assessment, thermochemical conversion of biomass, evaluation of energy conversion and utilization processes, and reforming of transition fuels for the hydrogen economy.

Fuel Cell and Battery Technology

Formally known as the Hawaii Fuel Cell Test Facility, HiSERF’s mission is to accelerate acceptance and deployment of fuel cells for commercial and military applications, battery energy storage and other grid enabling technologies.

Renewable Power Generation

Solar Fuels research involving photoelectrochemical (PEC) production of hydrogen from water, using sunlight is carried out in the Thin Films Lab. This involves state-of-the-art solar energy technology facilities for photovoltaic systems and photo-catalytic materials research, including photoelectrochemical devices.

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency projects encompass technology and building system design, monitoring and testing. (See Energy Efficiency projects for more information.)

Other locations where HNEI conducts or supports research include:

NELHA is a state-owned agency that operates a unique and innovative ocean science and technology park in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii. NELHA is strategically located adjacent to one of the steepest bathymetric offshore slopes in the Hawaiian Islands. Assets include a dual-temperature seawater system that is the only one of its kind in the world.

Makai research pier is home to three of the partner organizations co-located at the laboratory, the Hawai‘i Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL), Sea Engineering, Inc. and Makai Ocean Engineering. HURL is a research unit in SOEST, and HURL's facilities include two deep-diving submersibles, a remotely operated vehicle, and a support ship.

A U.S. Marine Corps facility, MCBH, currently houses HNEI-supported projects involving hydrogen fueling stations and wave energy testing. HNEI supports research involving the technical analysis of the fueling station designed to support fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and the environmental feasibility of the technology deployed at Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) located on the base.